Two young men aged 22 from Chisinau and Dubăsari were arrested on suspicion that they committed swindles by using the “relative involved in an accident” scheme. These posed as police officers, contacted persons and told them that a relative of their caused a road accident as a result of which a person was hurt. They asked sums of even €10,000 for the alleged driver to blame not to be held to account, IPN reports.

The General Police Inspectorate said the two were involved in 60 such cases of swindle in Chisinau during January-June 2023. The calls were made from a landline. The amounts extorted from victims varied between €3,000 and €10,000.

The young people were remanded in custody for 30 days and face 7 to 10 years in jail.

The two are suspected of forming part of a criminal group. Measures are being taken to identity their accomplices.